Review of To Be or Not to Be (1983) by Elliott F — 10 Jul 2011
Carole Lombard is a demanding screen presence and a true force to be reckoned with, and in this, her last film appearance, she's at the top of her game. Lombard plays Maria Tura, a famous stage actress who lives in luxury in 1939 Warsaw with her also-an-actor husband Joseph (Jack Benny).
Quickly, however, World War II breaks out as Nazi Germany invades Poland. Don't assume Nazis make a drama, because To Be or Not to Be is a truly hilarious comedy. Benny's Joseph is a brilliantly concocted performance, who it's a statement of Benny's talent as an actor that his character can go deeper into other characters are the drop of a hat.
The supporting cast (especially Sig Rumann) are outstanding, and the satire is superbly written, and all of these come to incredible harmony under Ernst Lubitsch's direction.
This review of To Be or Not to Be (1983) was written by Elliott F on 10 Jul 2011.
To Be or Not to Be has generally received positive reviews.
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